Fix it up,
Wear it out.
Make it do
Or do without!
That is my motto for back to school this year. I went through every one's closets to see what we had to work with and what things we specifically needed for back to school clothes. Besides it will be warm for awhile-they can wear their shorts the first couple of months. (I so remember wearing my new winter sweater the first day of school and just sweltering!)
Rylee informed me she needs a new back pack.
"What's wrong with your back pack?"
"Nothing. But I always get a new back pack."
That might be why I had so much crap to give away Saturday? We need to stop replacing things that have life and wear still left in them.
Seriously.
We can live with so much less stuff! Even Alex-who owned nothing and wore cast off clothing that were too small (and sometimes for girls) for the first ten years has become "Americanized" so quickly. Last Sunday morning he nicely told me that next time I go to the store he needs new Sunday shoes because the one's I bought six months ago are starting to hurt his toes. (This from the boy that took back Rylee's size 3 cleats to the orphanage and wore them daily when his foot was a size five!) I'm sure they might be getting small but I thought he would have remembered that he has a brand new pair of bigger shoes in his closet? (I bought way to big of shoes last Christmas and after making him wear them a couple of months-looking like clown feet and complaining-I did buy him a smaller size!) Nope, he didn't remember-it's just easier to ask for new shoes!
I explained to Ry that we need to be careful with our money. Many people are out of work and struggling to make ends meet and we are blessed because Dad has a good job and we need to try and save our money and be conservative.
She was okay with that and content to keep her back pack for another year.
She was okay with that and content to keep her back pack for another year.
Later that day-while I was on the computer looking for a 2nd hand laptop for Kambree for college-Alex came and asked if Austin will take this laptop to college too? Poor guy, what he's trying to find out is, are we going to buy everyone a laptop for college? And/or if this very laptop is going to someday be his?
We had a quick talk about how we just don't know. What if the laptop breaks? (Which I am sure will be the case-like we're going to get this laptop to keep working for the next seven years?) If we have the money to help our kids we certainly will but what if we can't? What if Dad loses his job or things change? To which he sincerely replied with deep concern, "I hope Dad NEVER loses his job."
Me too bud, me too.
So, blogging word. I want my children to be conservative, appreciative and considerate of our fiance's yet, I don't want them to be fearful and concerned. How do I achieve that balance? What's your suggestions?
4 of my blog friends said something...:
Great post! I am right there with you on the "Why do you need a new backpack every year" We have a dozen perfectly good backpacks hanging around. This year I was proud of Daniel who actually MADE his backpack. He is pretty proud of it. He couldn't see paying $30 for the one he wanted. This is the same kid who worked 7 hours for a neighbor so he could buy a pair of $30 tennis shoes today. I am looking forward to those suggestions you asked for :)
Christy
I don't know, I have been trying to figure that out too. However, I am too the mind set on certain things if it is a true need, (socks, shoes, underwear) those are the things you buy. If it's a want (new backpack, but the old one still works) not to buy those things. I am not sure, but I think it might be a good jumping off point, explaining needs vs wants.
Great post!
When I bought the boys backpacks, I told them we needed them dark and good quality because that would be the backpack they would have for their entire elementary years and possibly more. I buy them winter coats and get 2 to 3 winters out of them and then pass them on to a younger child. My motto is "I never replace what you broke by being careless, and I never buy 2 of the same things because you can't share". I explained about pollution, the demand and production realtionship, the hours dad worked for such items. This year they will be wearing their ninja costume for the third year in a row! I also tell htem if they can't respect and care for their own thing then they can't respect anything. I also have price limits: 3-8 bucks for t's, 10-15 for jeans etc...and we only get what we need. They like the limits nad find it fun to shop for bargains.
Very good comments thus far. My children know me as the woman who can pinch a penny until it's the size of a pancake. And now it's so funny to watch my married child and my soon-to-be married child DOING THE SAME THING. I did have the foresight to tell Alex, "In Disneyland, we will not be buying treats or anything else." (We walked out of the park to even eat lunch.) I think the biggest thing is to not start spoiling them with "things" when they're young, and then they don't expect it later. It sounds like you're doing just the right things, telling them there is a possibility of losing jobs etc. like so many other people have. You are WAY ahead of me. I haven't given a single thought to school clothes or backpacks. It will have to wait for a while.
Post a Comment